25 Jobs X Factor Stars Had Before They Were Famous

Over the years many stars have auditioned on The X factor, and whilst many have returned to their day jobs, artists such as One Direction, Olly Murs, JLS and Alexandra Burke have gone onto achieve massive success.

Take a look below and test yourself to see how many of the 25 stars prevous jobs you guessed right! Tweet us @MarkMeets with your result out of 25.

1. Ben Haenow was training to be a plumber

It’s emerged that X Factor favourite and Simon Cowell companion Ben Haenow was on his way to becoming a City & Guilds level 2 qualified plumber literally days before appearing on the show. When he disappeared from Able Skills’ workrooms, the construction training centre were confused at first, now we know that Ben was undertaking a very different type of vocal training at Cowell’s home in LA.

2. Chloe Jasmine put her modelling career on hold

Plummy-voiced and private schooled Chloe Jasmine gave up her dream of studying law to commit to her modelling career. Appearing on TV modelling show The Face in 2013 after being turned down for X Factor back in 2006, it looks like Chloe Jasmine is a professional spotlight hunter.

3. Jay James was a Royal Navy fitness instructor

Despite having a record deal before coming on the show, Jay James wasn’t always a professional musician. Once upon

a time, Jay kept the Royal Navy fighting fit as a fitness instructor before meeting wife Victoria through her ‘adult’ TV

show.

4. Stevi Richie answered phones in a call centre

Brought back into the X Factor mix, Stevi Richie once had a much more mundane day job, working in a call centre in Colchester.

5. Lola Saunders gutted fish

She may not have made it through to the 2014 finals but Lola has come a very long way from South Tyneside where she once worked as a fishmonger.

6. Sam Bailey was a prison officer

2013’s winner Sam Bailey once worked behind bars as a prison officer in Leicester. Despite singing on cruise ships, Sam never got her big break as a singer until she reached the X Factor stage.

7. Shelley Smith was a van driver for 15 years

Shelley was a van driver for 15 years before her appearance on the X Factor. She entered the competition twice before, making it to boot camp in both 2008 and 2012.

8. Jahméne Douglas used to work at ASDA

With a record deal and an album in the pipeline, 2012 runner up Jahméne has come a long way from stacking shelves in an ASDA in Swindon.

9. Jade Ellis was a bike mechanic

Out and proud former bike mechanic Jade unbelievably had no real experience of performing before entering the X Factor.

10. Kye Elliott Sones was once a chimney sweep

A close childhood friend of TV personality Fearne Cotton, Kye had star-spangled connections before he hit the X Factor stage in 2012. Kye supported his musical dreams with a career as a chimney sweep in London.

11. Rebecca Ferguson is a qualified legal secretary

Now producing her 3rd back on if this whole singing thing doesn’t work out.

12. Olly Murs was a recruitment consultant

Even your mum’s favourite bit of teatime telly eye candy had to work a desk job before hitting the X Factor big time as a runner up in 2009. His old recruitment consultant role is a long way from his new star spangled career.

13. Marvin Humes was in Holby City

JLS star Marvin Humes was no stranger to the spotlight when JLS hit X Factor in 2008. He played the role of Robbie Waring in medical TV drama Holby City for 14 episodes.

14. JB Gill studied theology at King’s College London

While ex-bandmate Marvin was learning how to work the stage, JB Gill was pursuing a more academic route, studying theology at prestigious university King’s College London.

15. Leona Lewis worked in Pizza Hut

One of the X Factors best-selling contestants Leona Lewis was not always raking it in. To get to the top Leona worked as a solicitor’s receptionist and at Pizza Hut to pay for sessions in the studio.

16. Ben Mills had a marquee business

Perhaps overshadowed by the glittering success of winner Leona, 2006 runner up Ben Mills was once the co-owner of a marquee company in his native Whitstable.

17. Andy Abraham was a bin man

2005 runner up Andy Abraham had lots of odd jobs before taking to the X Factor stage like a duck to water. From working as a bus driver to working as a refuse collector, this crooner had seen it all.

18. Rylan Clark was Rupert Grint’s body double

2011 contestant Rylan Clark has been flirting with stardom from an early age, appearing as an extra in blockbuster flick Love Actually and performing as Rupert Grint’s body double in the Harry Potter movies.

19. Melanie Masson was a children’s entertainer

Children’s entertainer Melanie didn’t quite make it through to the finals of 2012’s X Factor competition but, with a voice compared to that of icon Janis Joplin, we hope she’ll go far.

20. Marcus Collins used to be a hairdresser

2011’s runner up Marcus Collins had enjoyed some musical success before his breakthrough on the X Factor but, before his dalliance with the limelight, Marcus worked as a hairdresser.

21. Craig Colton worked in a biscuit factory

2011 contestant Craig Colton quit his job in a Liverpudlian biscuit factory to try his hand on the X Factor. Craig now has an indie album in the pipeline.

22. Johnny Robinson was a drag act

Known as Sarah Lee on London’s drag circuit, fabulous 2011 performer Johnny once worked as a female impersonator.

23. Katie Waissel used to work at OK! magazine

2010 runner up Rebecca always has her qualification as a legal secretary to fall. 2011 contestant Katie had done 101 different things before reaching X Factor. From working at OK!, to waitressing and performing as Katie Vogel on TV series Green Eyed World, she’s squeezed a lot in to 24 years.

24. Wagner Fiuza-Carrilho is a former PE teacher

Contentious comedic contestant Wagner hasn’t always been a bold performer. Prior to retirement, this moustachioed gentleman owned a martial arts and dance gym before working as a PE teacher.

25. Daniel Evans was a pool cleaner

Series 5 contestant Daniel Evans was at the centre of a 5 week campaign by Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles to keep him in the competition. Unfortunately it didn’t pay off, but we’ll bed Daniel hasn’t cleaned a pool since.

Article written by Pete Campbell for MarkMeets.com. Credit AbleSkills

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